Former NSGA Board Member, Scholastic Sports Sales Owner Jeff Miller Passes Away 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

CONTACT: 
Marty Maciaszek, Director of Communications and Team Dealer Division 
mmaciaszek@nsga.org 
(847) 296-6742, ext. 1260 

DOWNERS GROVE, ILLINOIS (December 20, 2024) – Jeff Miller, who was instrumental in the growth of family owned team dealer Scholastic Sports Sales in Manlius, New York and served on the NSGA Board of Directors, unexpectedly passed away on December 19, 2024. Miller was 69. 

Miller owned Scholastic Sports Sales, which celebrated its 50^th anniversary in April and is in its third generation of family ownership. Miller was a member of the NSGA Board for two terms from 2015-21 and his son Justin, who is the president of Scholastic, joined the board in June. 

“Receiving the news of Jeff’s passing was a terrible shock,” said Matt Carlson, President & CEO of NSGA. “He was such a wonderful man who was tremendously dedicated to his family, their business, the community and our industry. He was a tremendous asset to the NSGA Board with his expertise, ideas and sense of humor.  

“Jeff’s family has been such a big part of our industry and my heartfelt condolences go out to his wife Wendy, their children Justin, Josh and Matt, and their many friends. He will be greatly missed.” 

Jeff Miller’s parents Harvey and Nancy started Scholastic Sports Sales in the family’s garage in Cazenovia, New York in 1974. The business grew quickly into one of the country’s most respected team dealers and moved into a 25,000-square foot facility in Manlius but it remained a family affair with Jeff’s wife Wendy (accounts payable) and their sons Justin, Josh (Vice President of Sales) and Matt (Numbering Department Manager) in significant roles. 

Jeff Miller graduated from Cazenovia High School in 1973 and SUNY Cortland in 1979 and played hockey from age 7 through college. He took over as the owner of Scholastic Sports Sales in 1979. He was an avid fly fisherman, bow hunter and turkey hunter, a lifetime member of Trout Unlimited and he traveled each year to Montana and Wyoming with Wendy during their 48-year marriage to fly fish. 

Miller was a volunteer in the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Program and was the Big Brother of the Year in 2015. He also volunteered for the American Red Cross, Syracuse Rescue Mission and American Cancer Society and was a youth sports league coach for his sons. 

Jeff Miller is survived by Wendy, his sons Joshua (Kate Rayburn), Matthew (Amy Hyatt) and Justin; his father Harvey; siblings Tom, Karol Toole and Dave and four grandchildren. A celebration of life service will be held in the spring. 

About the National Sporting Goods Association 

Since 1929, the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA) has been the leading voice and go-to resource for the sporting goods industry. NSGA helps the industry grow its businesses through research, advocacy and networking. For more information about membership or NSGA’s products and services, please visit www.nsga.org.